He has quit politics before but this time Ted Daly says it’s permanent. Daly, a North Saanich councillor, told the PNR on Sept. 9 that he will not seek re-election in the fall’s municipal election.
“I’m sure some people will be more than thrilled,” he said, laughing.
He’s referring to the sometime raucous last three years on council, where opposing factions on the issue of housing development engaged in a constant war of words. Daly was part of a council majority whose goal was creating the conditions for more diverse housing options.
“I came back to try to do what I was unable to do (when he was mayor, from 2002 to 2008),” Daly explained, “to get more diversified housing in North Saanich, to make it a more diverse community.”
Daly said he didn’t have to be mayor to help make that happen.
“I’m thrilled that in our three-year term we were able to do that.”
There are new housing developments either under construction or nearing final approval at the council level, that could bring in excess of 200 new units. Daly said most of those will be well under the average house price in North Saanich.
Daly said this stance taken by the council majority will contribute to this fall’s election campaign, making clear everyone’s stance on the issue of development and growth.
Daly also became a grandfather this year and said after giving 21 years of public service to two communities (he was a councillor in North Saanich from 1999 to 2002 and was a councillor in the Town of Sidney from 1990 to 1999), he wishes to dedicate his time to family.
“I don’t regret my public life but I have mixed feelings. (The last three years) have been quite a ride with some significant challenges. It’s time to move on.”
The municipal election is set for Sat., Nov. 15.